LTFRB: Free rides for PITX, NLET start

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yesterday rolled out free rides in public utility vehicles (PUVs) going to bus terminals as part of the third leg of the government’s service contracting program.

The LTFRB said free rides would be provided by PUVs from the North Luzon Express Terminal going to Araneta Center in Cubao and from NLET going to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

The first trip starts at 1 a.m. and ends at 12 midnight.

The LTFRB deployed sufficient number of PUVs to ensure the “smooth and safe travel of passengers.”

The transport regulator said free bus rides on the EDSA carousel and other routes nationwide would continue. As of Monday, the government had provided free rides to over three million commuters.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and LTFRB resumed the service contracting program to help PUV operators and drivers cope with the pandemic and soaring fuel prices.

Under the program, PUV drivers and operators will provide free rides to commuters and will be compensated by the government on a weekly basis.

The government will shoulder the fuel expenses, disinfection, monthly amortizations and other overhead costs.

PUV drivers and operators will be paid based on the number of trips traveled per week.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that provincial buses are still allowed to enter EDSA beyond the window hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. as long as they use the integrated terminals provided by the LTFRB.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said policies regarding the operations of provincial buses are under the jurisdiction of the DOTr and LTFRB.

“The main role of the MMDA is to strictly implement traffic rules,” he said. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva